Closure reforming method and apparatus



Jan. 11, 1944. LW' THOMAS 2,339,119

CLOSURE REFORMING METHOD AND APPARATUS WM5/@kg ATTORNEY Jan. 11, 1944.J. w. THOMAS GLOSURE REFORMING METHOD AND APPARATUS Filed March 18, 19412 Sheets-Sheet 2 y INVENTOR JQHN W Mor/A6.

Patented Jan. 11, 1944 CLOSURE REFORMING METHOD AND APPARATUS John W.Thomas, New Kensington, Pa., assigner to Aluminum Company of America,

Pittsburgh,

Pa., a corporation of-Pennsylvania Application March 18, 1941, SerialNo. 383,936

11 Claims.

This invention relates to a closure reforming method and apparatus,particularly to a method` and apparatus for reforming the skirts ofpliable closures on closure engaging surfaces of receptacles orcontainers, such as milk bottles.

`Ihe invention is an improvement upon the invention disclosed in thepatent to Hogg No. 2,112,842, entitled Capping machine, and issued April5, 1938. That patent discloses a capping machine for reforming the usualcup-like, pliable metal closure on a container of usual form. Themachine there shown comprises a single resilient reforming memberactuated by-a 4plurality of reforming segments, lever-operated by asegment spreading cam.

'I'he method and machine disclosed in the above-mentioned patent finds awide field 0f usefulness in the reforming of pliable metal closures onmilk bottles and the like. However, there has been recently developed anumber of peculiar types of bottle finishes requiring special closuresand special methods of and apparatus for reforming closures thereon.Among these, I have chosen, to illustrate the applicability of theinvention, a container having upper and lower closure engaging surfacesseparated by a wide groove. Such a container makes it necessary toprovide a closure reforming method and apparatus which willsatisfactorily reform the closure at the upper and lower surfaceswithout injuring the closure at the portion of its skirt opposite thegroove in the container finish. Other container finishes may presentsimilar problems.

I have also chosen, to illustrate the applicability of the invention, aclosure for such a container having upper and lower closure engagingskirt portions joined by a reinforcibly shaped mid-section. Such aclosure, and the combination of the same with a container of the abovecharacter are described and claimed in my application for Pliable metalclosure, Serial No. 383,935, filed concurrently with this application,and which issued on October 13, 1942, as Patent No. 2,298,777.

An object of this invention generally ls to provide a simple, reliablemethod and apparatus for reforming upper and lower portions of the skirtof a closure onto a container. A particular object is the provision ofsuch method and apparatus for use in reforming closures on containershaving sealing surfaces separated by a wide groove or the like.

The invention also contemplates the desirability of providing a closurereforming method and apparatus suited to working the peripheral paneland upper skirt portions of a closure progressively downwardly andinwardly while the closure is held firmly seated upon the top ol' thecontainer. It is a particulary object to provide for full sealing oi'the closure without mutilating, bending, tearing, or vdistorting asection .of the closure opposite a groove or other relieved portion inthe container nish.

Various additional objects and advantages of the invention will be inpart obvious and in part found specifically discussed in the followingdetailed description referring to the drawings.

In the drawings: 1

Fig. 1 is a vertical section oi' closure reforming apparatus conformingto the invention, with the parts shown in the position they occupypreparatory to the reformation of the closure, the section being takenonthe line I--I of Fig. 3;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1, with theparts shown in the position which they occupy after reformation of theclosure Fig. 3 is a horizontal section of the apparatus taken on theline III-III of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the upper resilient reforming member; f

Fig. 5 is a sec'tion of the upper resilient member taken on the line V-Voi' Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a plan view of thel lower resilient reforming member; and

Fig. 7 is a vertical section of the lower resilient member.

In order that the method of the invention be adequately described, theapparatus chosen to illustrate the invention will first be discussed.Preliminarily, however, it is noted that the invention is particularlyadapted to the reforming of a closure I on a container I0 (Figs. 1 and2) provided with an upper vclosure engaging surface l 2 and a lowerclosure engaging surface I1 separated by a wide groove I6. The closure Iis preferably a cup-like, pliable, metal closure having upper and lowerskirt portions separated by a knurled mid-portion l.

In the description of the apparatus like reference numerals designatelike parts throughout the several figures. 2| forms the central elementabout which the apparatus is assembled. A ange generally designated bythe reference numeral 22 is attached to the lower end of the spindle inany fashion that will provide a strong joint, as by the shrink fittedcollarrshown. 'I'he flange 22 has a horizontal web 23 and an annularflange 24, disposed perpendicularly to the web andtherebe- 1n Figs. 1and 2 the spmdie V neath. which forms a seat for the upper resilientreforming member 25seatedthereover. The attachment of the upperresilient member 2l to `the spindle 2| is optional, however, since theupper resilient member may be retained in assembled relationship by thereforming segments vto be described below.

The top surface ofthe web 23 serves as a support and bearing surface forprojections on a plurality of reforming segments 30. These segmentsextend in axial planes `of the spindle 2| and enclose its lower portionandthe upper resilient member 25. Each segment is an unbalanced leverhaving a projection 3|. Each projection '3| is rounded so that a freepoint of oscillation may be established between `the projecvtion 3| andthe web 23, the web 23 serving both as a support 'and as a bearingsurface. On the outer side of each segment opposite the projection 3|,there is an external arcuate recess 32 that receives a narrow radiallyunyielding segment retaining ring 33. For guiding the containers i0.into sealing position, a suitable guide `bell 34 maybe attachedto thesegment retaining ring 33 by screws, such as are shown in Fig. 3.

The lower endsof the segments 35 have, on the .inner surfaces thereof,upper internal recesses 35 that receive the upper resilient member 25and tend to direct the applicationof pressure by the upper resilientmember to a closure. These same recesses may of course be used to retainthe .upper resilient member even though the annular flange 24 is notprovided upon the web 23. Below the upper internal recesses 35, thereare also provided lower internal recesses 33, on the inner surfaces ofeach of the segments 30. The lower internal recesses 35 are adapted toreceive the lower resilient reforming member 31, being suited to retainand support the lower resilient member 31.

At the upper ends of the segments 35 there are, on `the outer surfacesthereof, spring recesses 40 that-accommodates a small spiral spring 4|which serves as a segment return spring.

Disposed about thespindle 2| and in contact with the upper ends of thesegments 30, there is provided a segment spreading cam' 42 of in vertedconical form. The cam is mounted on a cam support 43 slidable on thespindle 2|, the cam being secured to the cam support by suitable threadsand locked in position byA a lock nut 44. The cam support 43 isthreadedly secured to a suitable adapter 45 vwhich may beconnected withthe operating plunger of either a single or a multiple unit reformingapparatus, or which may be provided with ar handle or rigidly mountedfor operation oi the vapparatusvby vertical movement of the container.These alternatives will be further discussed hereinafter. The spindle 2|is slidable with .reference to the assembly made up of the cam 42,support 43, and adapter 45. 'I'he spindle 2| is retained againstcomplete removal from the adapter by means of a removable wishbone pin45, the pin permitting the necessaryl amount of upward and downwardtravel of the spindle'2l relative to the adapter 45.

Disposed within the lower end of the spindle 2i is a closure centeringplunger 50 bearing at its lower end, within the closure reforming throatdefined by upper and lower resilient members 25 and 31, a pressure plateISI. Plunger 50 is spring pressed downwardly by the coiled spring 52mounted between the end of the plunger and the bottom of a suitabledrilled or formed recess in the spindle 2|. A pin 53 serves toslidinglyrctain and prevent the spring 52 from pressing the centeringplunger 50 downwardly to an undesirable extent.

In Fig. 3 the parts described appear more fully, it being noted thateight segments 30 have been found to be an adequate, eiiicient, andpreferable number of operating levers for actuating the resilientreforming members, as will be further described.

In Figs. 4 and 5 the upper resilient member 25 is shown in detail. Thismember should be constructed of resilient material such as vulcanizedrubber. The lower portion of themember is provided with a bulbousannular portion 26 within which the closure receiving recess 28 isdisposed. A plurality of radial slits 21 are cut in the bu1b' ousannular portion 26 to facilitate the compression and downward distortionof the member necessary to the reforming operation.

In Figs. =(i and'l the'lower resilient member 31 is shown. This sealingmember is a ring of substantially oval cross sectiomthe ring being madeof vulcanized rubber preferably.

One way of operating the apparatus contemplates that a closure l beloosely applied to a container I0 to assume the condition shown in Fig.1.v Thereupon, the adapter 45 is lowered until the upper resilientmember 25 rests on the closure l. In lowering the apparatus to thisposition, the pressure plate 5| will have centered and pressed theclosure I into proper position on the container l0. In this conditionthe apparatus is ready to perform the closure reforming operation.

The completed closure reforming operation is shown in Fig. 2. It isperformed by further lowering Lthe adapter 45, thus driving the segmentspreading cam 42 downwardly against the upper ends of the segments 30.The cam 42 spreads the upper ends of the segments 30 so that they assumea more nearly vertical or outwardly fiaring position. The spreading ofthe segments 30 causes them to oscillate about their projections 3|which rotate and slide slightly on the horizontal web 23. Likewise, thesegments 30 rotate around the segment retaining ring 33, which lowersslightly. The combined motion of the segments 3|! about the two pointsof support at 3| and 33 causes the lower ends of the segments 30 to belowered an appreciable amount and to be moved radially inward toward theclosure skirt and container finish.

The movement and pressure of the adapter 45, in conjunction with themovement of the segments 30, causes the following movements to beimparted to the two resilient members. The upper resilient member 25 ispressed rmly in the downward direction on the peripheral panel portionof the closure I. on the fillet portion of the closure connecting thetop panel to the skirt, and progressively on the upper skirt portion ofthe closure. At the same time the member 25 will have its bulbousannular portion wrapped orrolled downwardly so as to progressively apply-radially compressing forces to the upper skirt portion of the closureand thereby reform the same into confprmity with the upper closureengaging surface I2 of the container l0. It is noticed particularly thatthe movement of the upper resilient sealing member 25 imparts aprogressive downward wiping and inward pressure on the upper portion ofthe closure skirt.

`Since the lower resilient sealing member 31 .is spaced somewhat fromthe closure prior to the reforming operation. it does not come intoreforming action until a period somewhat delayed after the start of thepressure applying step of the upper resilient member. It is pointed out.then, that after reforming has been started on the upper portion of theclosure skirt, the lower resilient member 31 is radially compressed intocontact with the lower skirt portion of the closure. Because of thecontinued inward and downward movement of the lower ends of the segments30, the lower resilient member 31 likewise wipes downwardly on the skirtof the closure a slight amount as it is radially contracted to applyclosure reforming pressure. Its pressure, of course, reforms the lowerportion of the skirt into conformity with the lower closure engagingsurface I1 of the container. It will be noted further that the upper andlower resilient members 25 and 31, respectively, are at all timesseparated from each other, this separation being assured by theseparation of their arcuate supporting recesses 35 and 36. Thus nodirect pressure is applied :to the knurled mid-portion 4 of the closureskirt.4

Upon completion of the reforming operation above described, the adapter45 is merely lifted, subsequently lifting the spindle 2i directly; andthe segment return spring 4 I, in conjunction with the expandingpressure of the resilient members 25 and 31, vcauses the parts of theapparatus to again assume the relative position shown in Fig. 1.

Another method of operation contemplates only that the adapter 45 beheld stationary and that suitable means be provided for moving thecontainer i0 upwardly and downwardly to effect the same relativemovement of the parts as was previously described.

From the foregoing description of the apparatus and its operation, thevalue and novelty of the closure reforming method of the invention arereadily recognizable. The essentials of the method of reforming aclosure of the character described on .a container of the characterrdescribed may be briefly described as follows. A cup-like, pliablemetal closure Iy is first disposed in assembled relationship with acontainer l0.

Thereupon downward pressure relative to the container is applied to theclosure over three separately definable surfaces or areas. These are theperipheral panel portion of the closure, the fillet of the closureconnecting the panel to the skirt, and the upper portion of the skirtwhich is to serve as one of the closure retaining skirt portions.Conjunctive with the downward pressure, a progressive radial pressure isapplied to the upper portion of the skirt. This pressure isprogressively applied first at the uppermost part and progressivelythroughout succeedingly lower parts of the upper skirt portion.Thisresults in a securely reformed closure-container combination inwhich the closure is wrapped or wiped downwardly onto and intoengagement with the A upper closure engaging surface of the container.

After starting the application of pressure as above described, thelowermost portion of the skirt of the closure may likewise be pressed intwo directions. The lower skirt portion receives downward pressureculminating in simultaneous downward and radially inward pressure. Thesetwo pressures serve to wipe the lower skirt portion downwardly andinwardly onto the lower closure engaging surface of the container, andresult in a second reformation of the closure on the container.

In cases where it is desirable, it is obvious that the reforming actionat the upper closure engaging surface of the container may be separatefrom the closure reforming action at the lower closure engaging surfaceof the container. The foregoing methods of applying a closure to acontainer are necessary to, and peculiarly adapted to, the reforming cfclosures of the character described on containers of the characterdescribed.

Modifications in the method and apparatus herein described may be madewithout departing from the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. The method of reforming a cup-like, pliable closure on a containercomprising pressing the peripheral panel, connecting fillet and upperskirt portions of the closure downwardly relative to the container,substantially simultaneously pressing the upper vskirt portion radiallyinto conformity with an upper side surface of the container, and, afterbeginning said steps, pressing the lower skirt portion of theclosureradially into'conformity with a lower side surface of the containerseparated from the upper side surface thereof and maintaining themid-skirt portion of the closure in self-supporting bridgingrelationship between the upper and lower side surfaces of the container.

2'. The method of reforming a cup-like, pliable closure on a containercomprising pressing the peripheral panel, connecting llet and upperskirt portions of the closure downwardly relative to the'container,substantially simultaneously but ina downwardly progressing` mannerpressing the upper skirt portion over a confined area radially intoconformity with an upper side surface of the container, and, delayinglyafter beginning said steps, pressing the lower skirt portion of theclosure over a second confined area radially into conformity with alowerside surface separated from the upper side surface of the container andmaintaining the mid-skirt portion that is between the confined areas ofthe closure in self-supporting bridging relationship between the upperand lower side surfaces of the cori-v tainer.

3. A method of reforming a cup-likeW-piiable closure having a stepped,medially-reinforced i skirt onto a container having a pair of separatedclosure securing surfaces, which method comprises resiliently squeezingythe upper skirt portionof the closure into conformitywith the upperclosure securing surface of the container while wiping the skirtdownwardly relative to the container, and, delayingly after beginningsaid squeezing step, resiliently squeezing the lower skirt portion intoconformity with the lower elosure securing surface, and disposing andmaintaining the medially-reinforced portion in selfsupporting connectingrelationship between the upper and lower skirt portions and opposite theportion of the container separating the upper and lower closure securingsurfaces.

, 4. In an apparatus for reforming a closure on a container, a resilientmeans for downwardly A pressing against the peripheral panel portion,connecting fillet portion and upper skirt portion of a closure and forradially reforming the upper skirt portion, means for actuating saidresilient means, a second resilient means for downwardly pressing andradially reforming the lower skirt portion of the closure, and means foractuating said second mentioned resilient means delayingly afteractuation of said first mentioned resilient means.

5. In an apparatus for reforming a closure on a container, a resilientmeans for downwardly pressing against the peripheral panel portion,connecting fillet portion and upper skirt portion of a closure and forradially reforming the upper skirt portion in a downwardly progressingmanner, a second resilient means for downwardly pressing and radiallyreforming lthe lower skirt portion of the closure, and common means foractuating both of said resilient means affording delayed actuation ofsaid second mentioned resilient means.

6. In an apparatus for reforming a closure on a container, an upperresilient reforming member adapted to engage the peripheral panelportion, connecting fillet portion and upper skirt portion of a closure,said upper resilient member being provided with a bulbous portionadapted to be annularly disposed about the upper skirt portion of aclosure, a lower resilient reforming member adapted to be annularlydisposed about the lower skirt portion of a closure and spaced from saidupper resilient member, common means supporting said resilient membersfor downwardly pressing and radially contracting the same, and means forsupporting and actuating said common means with said resilient membersin operative relationship to a closure on a container.

7. An apparatus for reforming closures on containers comprising an upperresilient reforming member, a plurality of reforming segments adapted tocontract said upper resilient member and positioned circumferentiallythereabout, a lower resilient reforming member carried by said reformingsegments below said upper resilient member, said reforming segmentshaving oscillatably supported inwardly directing projections, meanscarried by said reforming segments eX- teriorly thereof adapted toretain the same for oscillatory movement, and means for oscillating saidreforming segments.

8. An apparatus for reforming closures on containers comprising acentral spindle having a substantially horizontal web at its lower end,an upper resilient reforming member carried beneath said web, aplurality of reforming segments adapted to contract said upper resilientmember and positioned circumferentially about said spindle and saidupper resilient member, a lower resilient reforming member carried bysaid reforming segments below said upper resilient member, saidreforming segments having in wardly directing projections supported uponsaid web, means carried by said reforming segments exteriorly thereofadapted to retain the same upon said web, and means coaxial with saidspindle adapted to actuate said reforming segments.

9. In an apparatus for reforming closures on containers comprising acentral spindle, oscillatable means supported by said spindle, a skirtedresilient reforming member located immediately beneath said spindle andin contact with said oscillatable means, and means coaxial with saidspindle and contacting said oscillatable means, the improvement whichconsists in a second resilient reforming member located beneath saidskirted resilient member but spaced therefrom and in contact with saidoscillatable means, whereby relative movement between said spindle andsaid means coaxial therewith actuates said oscillatable means andtransmits pressure there through to said reforming members bothvertically and radially thereof.

' 10. The method of reforming a cup-like, pliable closure on a containerhaving several separated closure securing surfaces comprising looselyassembling the closure and the container, pressing the peripheral panel,connecting fillet, and upper skirt portions of the closure progressivelydownwardly relative to the container, and concurrently pressing theupper skirt portion radially against the upper closure securing surfacewith a peripheral wrapping and squeezing motion, and delayingly afterbeginning the aforesaid pressing step but while continuing reformingpressure on the upper closure portions aforesaid, pressing a lowerportion of said closure skirt separated from the upper portion thereofdownwardly relative to the container, and concurrently pressing the sameradially against a lower closure securing surface of said container witha peripheral lowering and squeezing motion.

11. The method of reforming a cup-like, pliable closure on a containercomprising loosely assembling the closure and the container, pressingwith an upper resilient means progressively downwardly relative to thecontainer against the peripheral panel, connecting fillet, and upperskirt portion of the closure and radially against an area defined by theupper skirt portion, and delayingly after beginning the aforesaidpressing step, pressing with a lower resilient means spaced below theupper resilient means progressively downwardly relative to the containerand radially against an area defined by the lower skirt portion of theclosure separated from the upper skirt portion by a mid-skirt portion,thus concurrently lowering and squeezing each of the upper .and lowerskirt portions about the container.

JOHN W. THOMAS.

